‘It’s going to shape the future of professional golf one way or another’: Rory McIlroy gives latest take on Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf Invitational
TULSA, Okla. – Back in February following the final round of the Genesis Invitational north of Los Angeles, Rory McIlroy gave his take on the upstart Saudi Arabia-backed golf league that was trying to lure some of the game’s biggest stars with outrageous sums of money.
“It’s dead in the water in my opinion,” McIlroy said.
Well, the league led by Greg “The Great White Shark” Norman is still afloat. The inaugural tournament of the LIV Golf Invitational Series will be played June 9-11 at London’s Centurion Club, the first of eight events featuring a total of $255 million in prize money. The tournaments feature individual and team play, 54-hole no-cut events and shotgun starts.
“I might have been a little presumptuous at that point,” McIlroy said about his February remarks. The four-time major winner and two-time PGA Champion met with the media Tuesday at the 104th PGA Championship at Southern Hills Country Club. “It seems like it’s still going. Greg [Norman] and everyone behind it are very determined. I think we’re just going to have to see how it plays out. Guys are going to make decisions.
“Honestly it’s going to shape the future of professional golf one way or another, so I think we’re just going to have to see how it all shakes out.”
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The rival league wasn’t shaking out well back in February, as many of the games top players pledged their allegiance to the PGA Tour’s flag, including McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm.
Still, nearly 75-80 players requested releases from the PGA Tour to be allowed to play in the London tournament. The PGA Tour denied all of them. If players who were denied a release still decide to play in London – which features a $20 million purse, with $4 million to the winner – they could face disciplinary action, including suspension or banishment from the PGA Tour.
The second event of the series will be held July 1-3 in Oregon. The PGA Tour does not grant releases to any tournament held domestically that is opposite of PGA Tour event. So expect more noise to erupt – perhaps threats of lawsuits – when the series reaches Oregon.
“Honestly I’m rooting for it all to be over. I’m just so sick of talking about it,” McIlroy said. “I’ve made my decision, and I know where I want to play, and I’m not standing in anyone’s way, and I’m not saying that they shouldn’t go over there and play if that’s what they feel is right for them, then 100 percent they should go and do it.
“I’m certainly not wanting to stand in anyone’s way, but I think the sooner it all happens and the sooner everything shakes out, I think we can all just go back to not talking about it and doing what we want to do.”
